Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Shadae Lindsay, Miss Tourism World Jamaica 2006. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Shadae Lindsay is Jamaica's first Miss Tourism World representative, and will compete with 108 other finalists at the world finals of Miss Tourism World 2006 on December 1, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Due to an approaching deadline for submitting the particulars of the country representative, no national competition was held to select Jamaica's finalist. Instead, Jamaica's director for the pageant, fashion designer Kenneth Edgar, recruited a few young ladies from Elegant International, a Kingston-based modelling agency, interviewed them, and had them prepare an essay on the role and impact of the tourism industry in Jamaica.

The 18-year-old Manning's High graduate and native of Little London, Westmoreland, was selected to represent Jamaica based on the content and quality of her essay, her conduct in the interview, and of course, her beauty.

Excited

"I am excited to represent Jamaica," says a bubbly Shadae. "I am confident that I can win Miss Tourism World for Jamaica."

Shadae garnered experience in the tourism industry working as a junior manager at Juicy J's Restaurant in Negril - a post she still holds - where she regularly interacts with foreign visitors to the island. This is aided by her ability to speak Spanish fluently, as well as a bit of French and Italian, a testimony to her admitted fascination with languages. She intends to study linguistics in university in the near future, with hopes to pursue a career in that field, possibly as a translator. So much does she love learning new languages, that she has endeavoured to learn the native language of KwaZulu-Natal before travelling to South Africa for the competition.

Meanwhile attending the expected speech, grooming and etiquette lessons, Shadae will be spending a considerable amount of time studying Jamaican history, culture and current events, to build the pertinent knowledge base for the competitions. Her platform for the competition will be Jamaica's eco-tourism offerings, as well as the classic "sand, sea and sun." "Eco-tourism is growing in Jamaica and we are more than a destination for just sand, sea and sun," she says. She went on the explain that she intends to relay that message in the competition.

With so many international beauty pageants on the calendar, one feels prompted to question the need for Jamaica to participate in yet another. However, Shadae purports that this one is different. "Miss Tourism World focuses on nation-building through promoting tourism," she explains.

The local organisers are currently in dialogue with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) regarding their providing endorsement and support. Still, the organisers lament that they are hard-pressed for funding, as only a few sponsors have come on board thus far. Shadae's employer Juicy J's, as well as Yellow Bird Sea-Tel in Negril, have already pledged support. Further, Miss Tourism World Jamaica's wardrobe will be stocked by several local designers and re-tailers, including Uzuri Inter-national, Shades of Africa, Rodeo Drive, Angela's, Yolande Bennett and The Mushroom. The organisers are still, however, seeking support to bridge the gap in funding.